Five of Rod Stewart’s eight children went onstage to present him with an award.
Rod Stewart received a heartwarming surprise at the 2025 American Music Awards where five of his eight children appeared onstage to help present him with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
On Monday night, the British rock legend was honored ahead of his upcoming farewell tour. His kids — Kimberly, Ruby, Renee, Sean and Liam — joined forces for the surprise tribute, with Ruby revealing their affectionate nickname for him.
(L-R) Liam Stewart, Renee Stewart, Kimberly Stewart, Ruby Stewart, and Sean Stewart present the Lifetime Achievement Award to honoree Rod Stewart onstage during the 2025 American Music Awards on May 26, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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“Tonight we are here as the biggest and most loving fans of our father, Sir Rod Stewart, or as we all know him, Papa Stew,” she shared.
Clearly moved, Stewart embraced his children on stage and expressed his shock during his acceptance speech.
“I am absolutely flabbergasted. I didn’t know they were here — my children,” he told the audience.
Reflecting on his decades-long career, he added, “When I started singing in the early ’60s, well before all of you lot were here, the reason I got into it [was] because I had this burning ambition to sing. It’s all I wanted to do. I didn’t want to be rich or famous, and here I am a few years later, picking up this wonderful award.”
Rod Stewart performs onstage during the 2025 American Music Awards on May 26, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Dressed in a white tuxedo jacket and pinstripe trousers, Stewart also took the stage to perform his 1988 hit “Forever Young,” marking his first American Music Awards performance since 2004.
Janet Jackson was also recognized at the event, receiving the prestigious Icon Award.
Other performers throughout the night included Jackson, Gloria Estefan, Gwen Stefani, Benson Boone, Blake Shelton, and more.
Billie Eilish swept the awards, winning all seven categories she was nominated in: artist of the year, album of the year, song of the year, favorite touring artist, favorite female pop artist, favorite pop album and favorite pop song.
The 2025 American Music Awards were hosted by Jennifer Lopez and broadcast live from the Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
